Lesson 5 for February 1, 2014

“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted” (Isaiah 53:4) “Christ alone was able to bear the afflictions of the many. “In all their affliction he was afflicted” (Isaiah 63:9). He never bore disease in His own flesh, but He carried the sickness of others. With tenderest sympathy He looked upon the suffering ones who pressed about Him. He groaned in spirit as He saw the work of Satan revealed in all their woe, and He made every case of need and of sorrow His own… The power of love was in all His healing. He identified His interests with suffering humanity” E.G.W. (That I may know Him, February 11)

“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?” (Mark 2:9) Jesus went about “all the cities and villages… healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35) But Jesus doesn’t heal physical sickness only, but He also heals moral sickness; that is, sin. Jesus always tried to heal the whole being (spirit, soul and body) Not every sickness is a consequence of our sin. Nevertheless, mind and body are closely related. Anguish, regret or shame may provoke illness; they can only be completely healed by the forgiveness of our Savior.

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22) Jesus and the apostles gave some advice to prevent many of today’s modern diseases. 1.“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Mt. 6:19-20) 2.“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on” (Mt. 6:25) 3.“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt. 6:33) 4.“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Mt. 6:34)

5.“casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1P. 5:7) 6.“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2Co. 4:8-9) 7.“Rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4) 8.“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving” (Phil. 4:6) 9.“whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Phil. 4:8) 10.“And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1Jn. 3:22) “A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones” (Proverbs 17:22)

Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. Gratitude, rejoicing, benevolence, trust in God’s love and care—these are health’s greatest safeguard. E.G.W. (Our Father cares, February 12)

There was a great display of healing in the early years of the Church. First, a lame was healed (Acts 3:1-19); then, the gift of healing began to emerge in the Church. The sick were placed at the street to be healed when Peter went past (Acts 5:15). Philip cast demons out and healed lame and paralyzed (Acts 8:6-8). Paul also healed many sick (Acts 19:11-12; 28:7-9) Even two resurrections were recorded in the Bible, Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42) and Eutychus (Acts 20:7-10) Those miracles showed that God’s presence was among them. As the Gospel was spread, the healing miracles began to gradually disappear. “so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them” (Acts 5:15)

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:13-16) God gave three powerful tools to the current Church for physical and spiritual healing: A.Prayer. B.Anointing the sick. C.The Health Reform.

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”” (John 11:25-26) Jesus raised the son of the widow of Nain (Lk. 7: 11-17) Jesus raised the Jairus’ daughter (Mr. 5:21.43) Jesus raised Lazarus (Jn. 11:37-44)